January 13, 2010

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Unions tentatively struck a deal Tuesday to exempt collectively bargained healthcare plans from a tax on high-cost plans expected to be used to help raise revenue for the healthcare overhaul.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern and United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger met with House Speaker Pelosi Tuesday, a day after labor leaders met at the White House to express their opposition to the excise tax.

House and Senate Democratic leaders are to meet with President Obama this morning at the White House to discuss health care. House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel said he hopes there could be an agreement on the excise tax as early as today after the White House meeting, but then conceded: "That's stretching the word `hope.' "

Exempting collectively bargained plans would appease unions that often offer expensive health plans in lieu of higher wages. The deal could also help Obama avoid breaking his promise not to tax those earning less than $200,000. Obama recently expressed a preference for the excise tax.

The excise tax could further be tweaked to ensure Obama's promise is kept for non-union workers as well.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., said she plans to hold a briefing today to remind negotiators that CEOs of non-union companies also are against the tax.

*UPDATE: AFL-CIO spokesman Eddie Vale e-mails to knock down the story: "It is not true that there any deals. With our national call-in day, and meetings with the White House and Congress, we continue to work hard to get a bill that is worthy of being called health care reform."

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I can see the ad now when card check comes back into play: IF YOU MAKE YOUR EMPLOYER BECOME UNION, THEN YOUR HEALTH PLAN WILL BECOME TAX EXEMPT. Then because the Unions are in such financial trouble, they will then try to put all these health plans on the government dime, well actually WE THE PEOPLE's dime.

What a bunch of illegal, unconstitutional sluge! Ok we are all going to have health care and we are all going to pay for it the same as is stated in the constitution as the way things have to be.
Oh, except for you over there, you don't have to pay because you are too poor. And you, you do have to pay because you are too rich.
And you, you don't have to take it because of your religion.
And you, you don't have to pay because I can't get re-elected it you do.

What about the rest of us who are covered by employer plans and are not unionized? I guess they are only interested in the 12-14% of people in the US that belong to unions. I am now officially an light skinned negro that is independent of any party.

The deal could also help Obama avoid breaking his promise not to tax those earning less than $200,000.
********
no, he said he wouldnt raise taxes on anyone making elss than $250,000.
nice try Obama-loving MSM

Less than 3% of Americans will feel this tax. Of that 3% many are unions electricians, firefighters, pipe fitters, ect. Jobs that can be more dangerous. It is only fitting that they are exempted from the excise tax.

we the people dime is the Federal Res. money, which banks borrow money without interest and their lobbyist fight for more. Lobbyist and unions are both the same ..lobbyist fight for corporations. unions fight for the labors. for better wages regulations laws for their labors..fair wages for a honest days work.

DCVoter you are wrong, this tax will effect about 40% of americans making less than $100K. Most companies have matched their non-union plans to the plans the unions receive. With premiums so expensive an $8K plan is just your $15 co-pay PPO plan. It's really a Ford, I for one can not afford to loss almost $1k a year take home pay.

Got the following e-mail from my state education union:
Absolutely No Excise Tax On Health Insurance Plans!
Dear XXXX
The United States Senate and House of Representatives are currently reconciling health care bills (H.R. 3590) - a health insurance reform bill that would pay for needed reforms by imposing a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost insurance plans.
Although the tax would be paid by insurance companies and plan administrators (employers), not by employees, the ultimate result would be a dramatic reduction in benefits as the excise taxes payable would be so high that insurance companies and employers would do everything in their power to avoid paying it. OEA members and staff would be negatively impacted by the proposed excise tax.
Tell Congress and President Obama to pass health reform that is paid for fairly and not on the backs of middle class families.

Another clear violation of the Constitution - health care is not a "right" and it is not listed in the enumerated powers. The commerce and general welfare clauses do not allow for it either as they are both properly restricted in application to effect the enumerated powers only. (Why else have "enumerated powers?)
Making health care a "right" violates the individual liberties and rights of the health care providers and all other citizens who would be forced to provide it in opposition to their other, just as worthy, priorities.
The back room deals and payoffs violate the primary principles of equal protection of the individual and of equal sovereignty of the states.
Secret meetings and the exclusion of certain representatives and senators from the discussion violates the principle of equal representation.
If you're happy with this, regardless of the outcome, you are a fool who deserves the slavery you're inviting upon yourself and your family.

I have private group health insurance, isn't that a collectively bargained plan. I certainly think so!!!
Isn't it time we pt wasshington out of business and bring government baclk to the states---I thinkm the term is States Rights, isn't it??

One Obama promise after another goes by the wayside. In the mean time We The People are the last to know what is passed behind closed doors but the first to feel the shaft. It is time now for the majority to stand up and make clear, by any means , we won't stand for it any longer. The ballot box is one way we can change the present regime, but will that be enough? Our country's founding Fathers drew a line in the sand, refusing to back down or give in any further to a very similar oppressive government. We now come to a crossroads where many of us must consider what actions we may need to make in order to get our ncountry back. One thingn is clear, we need

One Obama promise after another goes by the wayside. In the mean time We The People are the last to know what is passed behind closed doors but the first to feel the shaft. It is time now for the majority to stand up and make clear, by any means , we won't stand for it any longer. The ballot box is one way we can change the present regime, but will that be enough? Our country's founding Fathers drew a line in the sand, refusing to back down or give in any further to a very similar oppressive government. We now come to a crossroads where many of us must consider what actions we may need to make in order to get our ncountry back. One thingn is clear, we need

Why are Unions protected? They are not above the law, no exemptions should be made, Union vote alone is not going to get you re elected, if this s**t passes you r done, It is UNconstitutional to pick and choose who you r going to tax,i think Chavez could of done a better job, Blame Congress for going along,get this bums out in Nov 2010

Its time to take congress and the Admiostration to the woodshed. November 2010 can't come soon enough, but we have a chance to send a clear message in Massachucetts--elect Brown (R) to replace Kennedy in the "Peoples Seat" not the Kennedy seat. It is time for a fundamental shift in the paradigm in Massachuestts and ther rest of the liberal states if we want to take our country back.